[_Laughing quietly to herself._] Oh, don't listen to that! HORNIG The chestnut filly, isn't it? WELZEL Come now, we've had enough o' this. I'm not goin' to have the girl's head turned altogether. She's had a-plenty of silly notions put into it already. She'll hear of nothing under a count today, and to-morrow it'll be a prince. MRS. WELZEL Don't abuse the girl, father. There's no harm in wantin' to rise in the world. It's as well that people don't all think as you do, or nobody would get on at all. If Dreissiger's grandfather had been of your way of thinkin', they would be poor weavers still. And now they're rollin' in wealth. An' look at old Tromtra. He was nothing but a weaver, too, and now he owns twelve estates, an' he's been made a nobleman into the bargain. WIEGAND Yes, Welzel, you must look at the thing fairly. Your wife's in the right this time. I can answer for that. I'd never be where I am, with seven workmen under me, if I had thought like you. HORNIG Yes, you understand the way to get on; that your worst enemy must allow. Before the weaver has taken to bed, you're gettin' his coffin ready. WIEGAND A man must stick to his business if he's to get on. HORNIG No fear of you for that. You know before the doctor when death's on the way to knock at a weaver's door. WIEGAND [_Attempting to laugh, suddenly furious._] And you know better'n the police where the thieves are among the weavers, that keep back two or three bobbins full every week. It's rags you ask for but you don't say No, if there's a little yarn among them. HORNIG An' your corn grows in the churchyard. The more that are bedded on the sawdust, the better for you. When you see the rows o' little children's graves, you pats yourself on the belly and says you: This has been a good year; the little brats have fallen like cockchafers off the trees. I can allow myself a quart extra in the week again. WIEGAND And supposin' this is all true, it still don't make me a receiver of stolen goods. HORNIG No; perhaps the worst you do is to send in an account twice to the rich fustian manufacturers, or to help yourself to a plank or two at Dreissiger's when there's building goin' on and the moon happens not to be shinin'. WIEGAND [_Turning his back._] Talk to any one you like, but not to me. [_Then suddenly._] Hornig the liar! HORNIG Wiegand the coffin-jobber! WIEGAND [_To the rest of the company._] He knows charms for bewitching cattle. HORNIG If you don't look out, I'll try one of 'em on you. [_WIEGAND turns pale._ MRS. WELZEL [_Had gone out; now returns with the TRAVELLER'S coffee; in the act of putting it on the table._] Perhaps you would rather have it in the parlour, sir? TRAVELLER Most certainly not! [_With a languishing look at ANNA._] I could sit here till I die. _Enter a YOUNG FORESTER and a PEASANT, the latter carrying a whip. They wish the others_ "Good Morning," _and remain standing at the counter._ PEASANT